When you first get engaged, most bride’s first thought goes to their dress.  What will I wear??  Then they binge watch every episode of “Say Yes to the dress” for research.  Followed closely by creating  extensive Pinterest boards on what their perfect day would look like.  This is exactly how I would have gone about things if those elements were available to me when I was planning my wedding day all those years ago.

Today, there is so much choice out there for brides and so many more purchasing options.  The world is your oyster when it comes to choosing the perfect dress for your special day - but how exactly do you choose where to shop?

There are three main points to consider when choosing where to visit:

1. Budget - You have set a budget for a reason, and you really won’t thank yourself for trying on a dress that you can’t afford, only to fall in love with it and find that nothing else measures up. Be realistic with your budget and stick to it.

2. Location - Whilst it is fun to go on a magical mystery tour of all the bridal shops and boutiques in the county, are you really going to want to make the two hour round trip each and every time you need to visit? Those last few weeks running up to the wedding can be very busy, finding time to squeeze everything in becomes a task in itself.

3. Time frame - How long do you have before the wedding date? Most bridal gowns take between 5-9 months to make, depending on where they are manufactured. After they are delivered, you need to allow a few weeks for the alterations. This is probably the most important element and non negotiable (seamstresses get very busy during the Summer).

Here is a brief outline of the different places you can purchase your gown from and the merits of each:

Online

There are so many online retailers for bridal gowns.  They are usually a very affordable option and are delivered quickly and directly to your door! The perfect option for the bride who doesn’t have much time or is in need of a second dress.  Sizing can sometimes be an issue, so make sure you measure correctly. It may also be useful to speak to your local dry cleaner as they may offer a steaming service for you - these dresses often arrive in teeny tiny packages.

Bridal chain

These stores operate like normal high street retail and don’t always require you to book an appointment.  You are able to try the dresses on in multiple sizes and take your dress and accessories away with you on the day.  The gowns are often priced at the lower end of the scale as they tend to mass produce the gowns and have them waiting in storage which makes them an attractive option for those with a short timescale. The downside here is that you are not often able to take the time to consider your decision, and with so many gowns being created, you could find your friends are wearing the same dress as you on their day!

Preloved

If you have your heart set on a particular gown, which is slightly more expensive than you had hoped, this is the perfect option for you.  You can find the dress which has been worn and altered by somebody else for a fraction of the price.  The preloved market was fairly small 15 years ago, but now they are springing up all over the place and there are plenty of bargains to be had.

Bridal shop

Here is where you get the full bridal experience, you can try on lots of styles from all the popular designers, and a fully trained stylist will help you find the perfect dress for your special day.  You will then be measured and your dress will be ordered in for you.  When you collect your dress, you will be given a list of trusted seamstresses who will ensure your dress is tailored perfectly for you.  They often have bridesmaid dresses too.  The prices here reflect the service and the quality of the gowns.

Bridal boutique

A bridal boutique offers you a little more.  It offers you the full bridal experience as standard and all dresses are made to order.  They offer you something different in their collections by way of bespoke options and exclusive labels.   They also have an in-house seamstress, who will carry out all of your alterations and let you know if your design changes are possible when buying your dress.  Most boutiques will have a particular style or niche that they cater for so it is worth doing your research.  The prices here reflect the high service and the quality of the gowns.

Design Houses

You could choose to visit your chosen designer direct at their own Design House or Flagship Store. This is the epitome of bridal indulgence as you will have a fully bespoke couture gown created. This is perfect for the bride who has a larger budget and a real love for couture fashion.

I hope that you have found this useful, and we look forward to seeing you very soon.

Love from Emma & The Boo Team x